Choices, choices… where will they lead?
What They Say:
As Angel continues his quest to resurrect the dead by following leads he digs out of the Watcher’s Files, Faith has second thoughts about supporting his seemingly impossible venture. A new ally warns her to weigh the consequences–good and bad–of Angel’s endeavor. Meanwhile, amidst clubbing, mentoring, and slaying, Faith has her own concerns counseling a damaged and vengeance-seeking Slayer! There’s pressure from all sides. Can Faith handle it?
The Review:
As the final issue in the arc begins, we jump right into the action of the battle with Pearl and Nash. I loved this scene, as it showcases the effectiveness of the teamwork between Angel and Faith. I think that’s one of my favorite aspects of the series so far – the way they have worked together and supported one another.
Some plot twists with the Mohra blood really took me by surprise – in a good way! The destruction of the seed of magic had some unexpected consequences on the effect of the demon blood, leading our heroes to make some incredibly difficult choices. This is where these stories really shine – in letting us see into the hearts and minds of flawed people we have come to love. Angel and Faith have made so many bad decisions in their lives, and they are desperate to make choices now that they won’t regret later.
The problem with the Mohra blood also leads to some grotesque images that are amazingly drawn. The art overall continues to be appealing, both in the drawing itself and the color choices. From the distinct and angular faces of Pearl and Nash to the little details in Giles’ library; they all make me feel like I’m right there with the characters. I especially love the choice of the glowing green color for the magical effects.
In Summary:
Overall, this was a solid conclusion to the first arc of the series. I was satisfied with the resolution of Angel’s search for Mohra blood and with the choices Faith has made along the way. I’m greatly enjoying watching her mature into her leadership role with the Slayers, and with her struggle over making the right choices. Her concern over keeping secrets from her friends makes it abundantly clear how much she has grown. Angel’s development is also intriguing, as he takes on more and more of Giles’ responsibilities. That leads to a few amusing images toward the end of the issue. Most importantly, I’m impressed by the way they are coming together as a team.
Though the arc is concluded, I was left with some strong hooks to draw me into the new arc. What, exactly, are Pearl and Nash really up to? How will Angel and Faith move forward as a team? Will we get more amazing Giles flashbacks? I’m thoroughly enjoying this comic, and I’m excited to find out what the next arc will bring!
Grade: A
Readers Rating: [ratings]
